09-05-2007, 05:10 PM
Arkansas River Levels: According to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as of Tuesday the Arkansas River stages are:
Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater - 391.98 feet, Tailwater - 372.87 feet, Flow - 28,164 cubic feet per second<br />
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater - 371.56 feet, Tailwater - 338.74 feet<br />
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater - 337.66 feet, Tailwater - 287.56 feet<br />
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater - 285.64 feet, Tailwater - 267.20 feet, Flow - 30,748 cubic feet per second<br />
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater - 264.78 feet, Tailwater - 254.66 feet<br />
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater - 250.54 feet, Tailwater - 231.73 feet, Flow - 31,841 cubic feet per second<br />
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater - 231.20 feet, Tailwater - 214.54 feet, Flow - 36,091 cubic feet per second<br />
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater - 196.21 feet, Tailwater - 183.54 feet<br />
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater - 182.86 feet, Tailwater - 167.18 feet<br />
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater - 162.87 feet, Tailwater - 128.37 feet, Flow - 34,900 cubic feet per second<br />
White River Levels: According to the National Weather Service, as of Tuesday the White River stages are:<br />
3.2 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage - 19 feet)<br />
6.3 feet at Batesville (flood stage - 15 feet)<br />
2.4 feet at Newport (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
13.8 feet at Augusta (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
1.6 feet at Georgetown (flood stage - 21 feet)<br />
10.9 feet at Clarendon (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Program Report: Fishing in community ponds has been improving with cool temperatures overnight and recent rains which stimulate fish to feed. To increase fishing opportunities, try fishing early mornings before the sun gets directly overhead or late evenings in deeper water. Catfish can be caught on liver, worms or paste baits and bream can be caught on crickets or worms. For more information on catfish stockings, call toll free 1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Conway : Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and low. Some bream have been caught on crickets. Bass fishing is fair on small crankbaits and buzzbaits. Some catfish have been caught on yo-yos and trotlines.<br />
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is clear and low. The generators are running in the afternoon. Trout fishing has been excellent on wax worm/marshmallow combinations, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers in low water. Fly-fishing is starting to pick up. Spin fishing is good on Rooster Tails.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the cooler weather and longer nights are resulting in lighter than average water releases at the Greers Ferry Power House. Most days, water releases have lasted only an hour or two in the afternoons. The brown trout spawn traditionally occurs in October, November and December, however, browns will begin their pre-staging rituals in September. A hopper-dropper is a particularly effective fly combination this time of year. Attach a size 10 Dave's hopper or equivalent to your tippet and use it as a strike indicator. Tie some skinny tippet material to the bend of the hook and a midge fly pattern (size 18-22) about 18 inches below. You should get strikes on both flies during the day. Keep your false casts to a minimum to prevent tangles. Also, don't use the hopper-dropper in the special regulations areas on the Little Red where only a single hooking point may be legally used. BWO's, PMD's, sulphurs and midges keep hatching in our river every day and the flies that represent these critters are working the best. Try a CDC baetis dun (sizes 18-20), CDC PMD (size 18), sulphur patterns in orange or yellow (sizes 16-18) or cream midges (sizes 22-24). Productive sub-surface flies include sow bugs (sizes 14-16. gray or tan), zebra midges (sizes 16-22 in red, olive or black), Yong special (size 22, red or olive), copper John (sizes 14-16, chartreuse or red), pheasant tail (sizes 16) and gold-ribbed hare's ears (sizes 14-16).<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 457.23 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said cool nights will start the fishing back on an upswing and should get better almost overnight. Largemouth and Kentucky bass are still deep on long tapering points in 28-35 feet of water. The best bite has been on football-head jigs and Carolina rigs, almost all of the other fish except for a few shallow fish can be caught in the pole timber on a spoon and drop-shot finesse worm. Smallmouth can be caught at times with a small Redfin on flats and spinnerbaits on cloudy windy days. Otherwise the smallmouth are in 18 to 20 feet of water and holding close to the bottom. Crappie have slowed, but can still be caught on top of some brush piles and also in the pole timber in 25 feet suspended over 60-80 feet of water. Bream are finishing a spawn and will be headed back out deep with some small ones still being caught shallow and the better ones in about 22 feet of water. Walleye have slowed, but will get better after the fall turnover for sure. Catfish are still feeding very well on cut and live bait. Whites and hybrids are hit and miss day and night they are on the move quite a bit but remember they will not move more than a couple of acres, a good graph is a must. Keep up with the bait, and the fish will be close.<br />
Shiloh Marina said the lake is clear and the water level is normal. Bass are the best thing going right now on spinnerbaits and top-water baits.<br />
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is a little low. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Some crappie have been caught on jigs. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on trotlines and live bait.<br />
Lake Beaverfork : The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said fishing has been very slow. The water is not in good condition and is very choppy.<br />
Lake Overcup : Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is at normal clarity and level, and fishing is picking up. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Some crappie have been caught on minnows, and catfishing has been pretty good on live bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said lake conditions are normal, but the water is still a little low. Bream fishing is excellent on worms. Some crappie can be caught in deep water on minnows and small tube jigs. Bass fishing is fair on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on live bait. Two 38-pound catfish were caught last weekend.<br />
Brewer Lake : Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting excellently on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on small minnows around brush piles. Some catfish can be caught on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Some bass are being caught on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting on just about anything.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bream fishing is good on crickets. Crappie fishing is slow. Bass fishing is pretty good.<br />
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger's Marina said the lake level is 2.5 feet below the spillway. Largemouth bass are biting well. They are moving throughout the day, but you can find them in 5 to 10 feet of water early and on the first drops to deep water later in the day. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are working well on the shallow fish and soft plastics are catching the deeper bass during the day. White bass are fair. They are schooling early and late in the day toward the east end of the lake. Spoons and clear crankbaits are working well. Bream are excellent on crickets fished around 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on large minnows fished in 15 feet of water. Crappie are slow with only a few caught in 20 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Sunset Lake : Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Fishing has been very slow.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the river is clear and low. Bream fishing is fair on crickets, and some bass are biting on live bait.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Larry Hurley of Poorman's Guide Service said fishing on the river is good. Bass are biting well on shallow-running crankbaits in white or chartreuse and white spinnerbaits. Some anglers are reporting 20-fish days fishing around jetties and rock and wood cover breaking the current. A black/blue jig is also working well around the jetties. Stripers are holding on the tips of the jetties and biting well on shad-colored Berkley Frenzy crankbaits.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bass fishing is fair and catfishing has been very good.<br />
Burns Park : Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bass fishing is good early and late. Catfishing has been very good.<br />
Lake Valencia : Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop the water is clear and at normal levels. Catfish are the best thing going right now.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is pretty normal. The best thing going are catfish, which are being caught on cut shad. A few stripers have been caught on curly tailed Storm swim baits.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and low. Bream fishing has been fairly good in 4-5 feet of water on crickets around stumps and logs. Crappie are biting on jigs and minnows in 5-6 feet of water. Black bass are being caught early and late in 3 feet of water in grassy areas on top-water baits. A few catfish have been caught on worms.<br />
Peckerwood Lake : Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) the lake is clear and a little low. Crappie have been biting well on minnows and jigs around the stumps. Catfishing has been very good on just about everything.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said water generation has been good for fly-fishermen in the early part of the morning. Around noon, one to three units are turned on and by mid-afternoon, the water is rolling with four to seven units. Trout can be caught on a variety of baits or lures. The most common bait is two Power Eggs or a pink rubber worm with a single yellow Power Egg set up on a White River trout rig. Fly-anglers have had excellent catches with 1/64-ounce chrome dome pink jigs under a large strike indicator. Rising trophy browns have also been known to hit Hank's Bulbous Bivisible or Hank's Quick Sight Ant. Other recommended flies are the olive woolly bugger and the red San Juan worms.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort said the water is clear and normal. Two generators are running at night, which helps fishing. Trout fishing has been excellent on almost any kind of bait.<br />
Angler's White River Resort said trout fishing has been good, and night trout fishing is even better. They are being caught on spinnerbaits, glow worms, Power Bait, and Rapalas.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 652.16 feet MSL.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said the surface water temperature ranges from 84 to 86 degrees. Divers are seeing a thermocline in the 30-foot range. This is a good starting point to start looking for fish, keeping the boat in 50 to 60 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well on nightcrawlers baited on a split-shot along bluff walls. ¾-ounce Bink's spoons in silver or white are working well along the same areas. A drop-shotted 4-inch worm and Texas-rigged strawberry worms are working well. Walleye are biting well on jigging spoons and live bait. Crappie are biting decently on minnows under a slip-cork rig.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 549.26 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and a little low. Some bream are being caught on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is very slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Bass fishing is pretty good early in the mornings on Roadrunners. A few walleye have been caught on nightcrawlers in about 35 feet of water around main lake points. Stripers are being caught on spoons and trolled crankbaits in the mornings around 40 to 60 feet deep.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low. The generators are being turned on in the early afternoon. Trout fishing has been very good on nightcrawlers, Power Eggs, and corn.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,116.09 feet MSL.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and low. Some crappie can be caught on minnows. Bass fishing is fair early and late in the day on top-water baits. Catfishing has been good on goldfish.<br />
Wiegmann's Guide Service (479-756-5279) said the water is clear in the mid-lake and dam areas. Bass fishing has been decent, but is better at night. The most effective baits have been crankbaits, black Jitterbugs, darkly colored worms and spinnerbaits. Some small bass are being caught during the day on buzzbaits. Some stripers can be caught on shad and shiners.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is about normal but fishing has been very slow.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream fishing is fair in 4-8 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie can be caught in 4-10 feet of water on minnows and jigs around rocky points and logs. Some bass have been caught around rocky points on plastic worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. There are few reports of catfish, but some have been caught on goldfish, chicken liver and worms.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. All other species are slow.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the lake is clear and a little low. Crappie are being caught on minnows in deep water. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver and chunk bait.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said the water is clear and a little low. Catfishing is your best bet right now on trotlines and stinkbait.<br />
Eleven-Point River : Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said the river is clear and at a little low. Bass are being caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver.<br />
Spring River : Many Islands Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and a little low. Bass and walleye fishing have been good.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Chicot : Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing has been pretty good on worms and wax worms. Bass have been caught on top-water baits. Catfishing has been good on about any kind of bait.<br />
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are the best thing going right now on minnows and jigs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.37 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water surface temperature is in the mid-80s during the day. Current has reduced to 774 cubic feet per second and the clarity is 8 to 10 inches of visibility. Bass and crappie are in normal summer patterns with the best bite being early in the morning. Largemouth bass are biting early in the morning on 1/8 or ¼-ounce jigheads rigged with curly tailed shad baits. Swim the baits through the grass and pads in around 4 to 8 feet of water and keep your rod tip high to prevent snagging with the open hook. Pop R's are taking a few bass early, but that's it for the top-water bite. Peanut butter and jelly and black/blue jigs are catching some good keepers, as are War Eagle spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps fished around flats adjacent to creek channels. Once the sun is up, switch to a Texas rig or Carolina rig with a 7- to 10-inch worm or lizard around deep water and holes in the vegetation. No report on white bass. Crappie are fair on live shiners and grubs fished on light jigheads in 14 to 20 feet of water. Channel catfish are biting well on goldfish and cut bait.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal level and clarity. Bream fishing is good on redworms and crickets. Catfishing has been good on goldfish and nightcrawlers.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the lake is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing has been good on crickets. Catfish have been biting very well on goldfish.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 540.91 feet MSL.<br />
Lakeside Grocery, Motel and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear and dropping. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Bass are being caught in about 10 feet of water on plastic worms around brush piles. Catfishing is excellent on stink bait, jugs and live bait.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service saidLake Greeson's water level is holding steady and its water temperature is falling slowly. The daytime surface temperature is in the low 80s. The crappie are starting to move back into brush piles along primary creek channels and can be caught 18 to 22 feet deep. All other species are slow, but should pick up with the cooler temperatures.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 397.99 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) says lake conditions are clear and the water is dropping. Bream are biting well in 15-20 feet of water on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on live bait. Bass and catfish slow.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is murky and low. Bream fishing has been pretty good on crickets. Bass fishing is fair on jigs and worms. Catfishing is a little slow, but some have been caught on shad and stinkbait.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 385.10 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the lake is murky and at normal level. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing has been really good on chicken liver.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is pretty clear and at normal level. Some bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass are biting on spinnerbaits and jigs.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 570.00 feet MSL.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass are beginning to move into the matted grass and are biting well on ¾- to 1-ounce jigs in green/orange and black/blue color combinations. Stripers are biting well on spoons in 20 to 30 feet of water over main river channels. Catfishing is fair on jugs baited with goldfish. No report on bream or walleye.<br />
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina (501-262-2272) said the water is normal for this time of year. Bass fishing is picking up a lot. Most bass are being caught in the early morning or evening hours on spinnerbaits. Walleye fishing has been very good in 12-14 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that limits of rainbow trout over 15 inches can still be caught below the dam. With the water temperature holding at 59 degrees, the trout are healthy and consistently feeding on shad. Bank fishermen are hooking fish on a waxworm and marshmallow combination as well as the ever popular whole kernel corn floated under a bobber. These two methods will produce strikes under almost any condition. Boaters on small jigs and nightcrawler rigs are doing well around the bridge pilings as trout seek deeper water. As reported last week, the striper and hybrid action is hit and miss as the fish migrate in and out of the tailrace area. No real feeding pattern is visible; however, when present both striper and hybrids feed heavily on top as they chase the huge schools of threadfin shad. Large top-water baits, such as C-10 Redfins and Super Spooks are perfect for that approach.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is great from sunrise until about 10 a.m. still. Concentrate on the edge of flats that drop off into the creek channels with a drop-shot baited with a 6-inch finesse worm. A ½-ounce spoon caught a few fish. Some walleye are starting to concentrate on windblown points and are hitting shad-colored jerkbaits.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is at normal level and clarity. Bream are good on crickets. Bass fishing is fairly good on top-water baits and spinnerbaits. Crappie are biting in 10-15 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is a little low and clear. Bream can be caught in deep water on crickets. Bass fishing is fair. Catfishing is good.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 342.97 feet MSL.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Moro Bay : The water is a foot above normal and the temperature still lingers in the upper 90s. There have been a few scattered showers lately. Several boats were fishing around the middle of the bay this morning and it can only mean one thing - crappie must be biting. To the fisherman without a depth finder, it appears that they are in open water but a look below reveals treetops in 10 to 14 feet of water. Jigs are working the best. Bream are biting well on crickets.
EAST ARKANSAS
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is clear and little high. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. Catfishing has been excellent on worms and cut bait.<br />
River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is clear and steady. Some bream have been caught on crickets and red wigglers in 2-4 feet of water. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits. A few catfish have been caught in 30 feet of water on cut shad and nightcrawlers.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and still low. Crappie fishing has been good on jigs and minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits. Walleye fishing is fair on minnows.<br />
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting in 2-4 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair in 4-8 feet of water. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and buzzbaits.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is pretty murky. All fishing has been slow, but there have been a few reports of catfish biting on nightcrawlers.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said fishing has been a little slow, but some anglers are having luck. Clyde reported that the water is clear and a little low. Bream are being caught in shallow water on crickets, while crappie are being caught in deeper water on minnows. Some bass are being caught in shallow water around grassy areas on white spinnerbaits. Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers and cut bait.<br />
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock said all fishing has been slow.
Trimble Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 13): Headwater - 391.98 feet, Tailwater - 372.87 feet, Flow - 28,164 cubic feet per second<br />
Ozark Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 12): Headwater - 371.56 feet, Tailwater - 338.74 feet<br />
Dardanelle Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 10): Headwater - 337.66 feet, Tailwater - 287.56 feet<br />
Ormond Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 9): Headwater - 285.64 feet, Tailwater - 267.20 feet, Flow - 30,748 cubic feet per second<br />
Toad Suck Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 8): Headwater - 264.78 feet, Tailwater - 254.66 feet<br />
Murray Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 7): Headwater - 250.54 feet, Tailwater - 231.73 feet, Flow - 31,841 cubic feet per second<br />
Terry Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 6): Headwater - 231.20 feet, Tailwater - 214.54 feet, Flow - 36,091 cubic feet per second<br />
Sanders Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 4): Headwater - 196.21 feet, Tailwater - 183.54 feet<br />
Hardin Lock and Dam (Lock and Dam 3): Headwater - 182.86 feet, Tailwater - 167.18 feet<br />
Mills Dam (Dam 2): Headwater - 162.87 feet, Tailwater - 128.37 feet, Flow - 34,900 cubic feet per second<br />
White River Levels: According to the National Weather Service, as of Tuesday the White River stages are:<br />
3.2 feet at Calico Rock (flood stage - 19 feet)<br />
6.3 feet at Batesville (flood stage - 15 feet)<br />
2.4 feet at Newport (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
13.8 feet at Augusta (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
1.6 feet at Georgetown (flood stage - 21 feet)<br />
10.9 feet at Clarendon (flood stage - 26 feet)<br />
Statewide Family and Community Fishing Program Report: Fishing in community ponds has been improving with cool temperatures overnight and recent rains which stimulate fish to feed. To increase fishing opportunities, try fishing early mornings before the sun gets directly overhead or late evenings in deeper water. Catfish can be caught on liver, worms or paste baits and bream can be caught on crickets or worms. For more information on catfish stockings, call toll free 1-866-540-FISH (3474).
CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Conway : Bates Field and Stream (501-470-1846) said the water is clear and low. Some bream have been caught on crickets. Bass fishing is fair on small crankbaits and buzzbaits. Some catfish have been caught on yo-yos and trotlines.<br />
Little Red River: Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the river is clear and low. The generators are running in the afternoon. Trout fishing has been excellent on wax worm/marshmallow combinations, Power Eggs and nightcrawlers in low water. Fly-fishing is starting to pick up. Spin fishing is good on Rooster Tails.<br />
Jed Hollan at the Little Red Fly Shop said the cooler weather and longer nights are resulting in lighter than average water releases at the Greers Ferry Power House. Most days, water releases have lasted only an hour or two in the afternoons. The brown trout spawn traditionally occurs in October, November and December, however, browns will begin their pre-staging rituals in September. A hopper-dropper is a particularly effective fly combination this time of year. Attach a size 10 Dave's hopper or equivalent to your tippet and use it as a strike indicator. Tie some skinny tippet material to the bend of the hook and a midge fly pattern (size 18-22) about 18 inches below. You should get strikes on both flies during the day. Keep your false casts to a minimum to prevent tangles. Also, don't use the hopper-dropper in the special regulations areas on the Little Red where only a single hooking point may be legally used. BWO's, PMD's, sulphurs and midges keep hatching in our river every day and the flies that represent these critters are working the best. Try a CDC baetis dun (sizes 18-20), CDC PMD (size 18), sulphur patterns in orange or yellow (sizes 16-18) or cream midges (sizes 22-24). Productive sub-surface flies include sow bugs (sizes 14-16. gray or tan), zebra midges (sizes 16-22 in red, olive or black), Yong special (size 22, red or olive), copper John (sizes 14-16, chartreuse or red), pheasant tail (sizes 16) and gold-ribbed hare's ears (sizes 14-16).<br />
Greers Ferry: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 457.23 feet MSL.<br />
Tommy Cauley of Fish Finder Guide Service said cool nights will start the fishing back on an upswing and should get better almost overnight. Largemouth and Kentucky bass are still deep on long tapering points in 28-35 feet of water. The best bite has been on football-head jigs and Carolina rigs, almost all of the other fish except for a few shallow fish can be caught in the pole timber on a spoon and drop-shot finesse worm. Smallmouth can be caught at times with a small Redfin on flats and spinnerbaits on cloudy windy days. Otherwise the smallmouth are in 18 to 20 feet of water and holding close to the bottom. Crappie have slowed, but can still be caught on top of some brush piles and also in the pole timber in 25 feet suspended over 60-80 feet of water. Bream are finishing a spawn and will be headed back out deep with some small ones still being caught shallow and the better ones in about 22 feet of water. Walleye have slowed, but will get better after the fall turnover for sure. Catfish are still feeding very well on cut and live bait. Whites and hybrids are hit and miss day and night they are on the move quite a bit but remember they will not move more than a couple of acres, a good graph is a must. Keep up with the bait, and the fish will be close.<br />
Shiloh Marina said the lake is clear and the water level is normal. Bass are the best thing going right now on spinnerbaits and top-water baits.<br />
Harris Brake Lake: Coffee Creek Landing (501-889-2745) said the water is a little low. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Some crappie have been caught on jigs. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is good on trotlines and live bait.<br />
Lake Beaverfork : The City of Conway Parks and Recreation Department said fishing has been very slow. The water is not in good condition and is very choppy.<br />
Lake Overcup : Lakeview Landing (501-354-1470) said the water is at normal clarity and level, and fishing is picking up. Bream are biting fairly well on crickets. Some crappie have been caught on minnows, and catfishing has been pretty good on live bait and nightcrawlers.<br />
Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said lake conditions are normal, but the water is still a little low. Bream fishing is excellent on worms. Some crappie can be caught in deep water on minnows and small tube jigs. Bass fishing is fair on buzzbaits and spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on live bait. Two 38-pound catfish were caught last weekend.<br />
Brewer Lake : Overcup Landing (501-354-9007) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting excellently on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on small minnows around brush piles. Some catfish can be caught on nightcrawlers and stinkbait.<br />
Little Maumelle River: River Valley Bait (501-868-3279) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing is good on worms and crickets. Some bass are being caught on spinnerbaits and buzzbaits. Catfish are biting on just about anything.<br />
Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bream fishing is good on crickets. Crappie fishing is slow. Bass fishing is pretty good.<br />
Lake Maumelle: Jolly Roger's Marina said the lake level is 2.5 feet below the spillway. Largemouth bass are biting well. They are moving throughout the day, but you can find them in 5 to 10 feet of water early and on the first drops to deep water later in the day. Crankbaits and spinnerbaits are working well on the shallow fish and soft plastics are catching the deeper bass during the day. White bass are fair. They are schooling early and late in the day toward the east end of the lake. Spoons and clear crankbaits are working well. Bream are excellent on crickets fished around 15 feet deep. Catfishing is good on large minnows fished in 15 feet of water. Crappie are slow with only a few caught in 20 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Sunset Lake : Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the water is clear and at normal level. Fishing has been very slow.<br />
Saline River Access in Benton: Turbyfill's Outdoor Sports (501-315-3061) said the river is clear and low. Bream fishing is fair on crickets, and some bass are biting on live bait.<br />
Arkansas River in Little Rock: Larry Hurley of Poorman's Guide Service said fishing on the river is good. Bass are biting well on shallow-running crankbaits in white or chartreuse and white spinnerbaits. Some anglers are reporting 20-fish days fishing around jetties and rock and wood cover breaking the current. A black/blue jig is also working well around the jetties. Stripers are holding on the tips of the jetties and biting well on shad-colored Berkley Frenzy crankbaits.<br />
Murray Lock and Dam: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bass fishing is fair and catfishing has been very good.<br />
Burns Park : Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said bass fishing is good early and late. Catfishing has been very good.<br />
Lake Valencia : Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop the water is clear and at normal levels. Catfish are the best thing going right now.<br />
Terry Lock and Dam: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is pretty normal. The best thing going are catfish, which are being caught on cut shad. A few stripers have been caught on curly tailed Storm swim baits.<br />
Clear Lake: McSwain Sports Center (501-945-2471) said the water is clear and low. Bream fishing has been fairly good in 4-5 feet of water on crickets around stumps and logs. Crappie are biting on jigs and minnows in 5-6 feet of water. Black bass are being caught early and late in 3 feet of water in grassy areas on top-water baits. A few catfish have been caught on worms.<br />
Peckerwood Lake : Herman's Landing (870-241-3731) the lake is clear and a little low. Crappie have been biting well on minnows and jigs around the stumps. Catfishing has been very good on just about everything.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Gaston's White River Resort said water generation has been good for fly-fishermen in the early part of the morning. Around noon, one to three units are turned on and by mid-afternoon, the water is rolling with four to seven units. Trout can be caught on a variety of baits or lures. The most common bait is two Power Eggs or a pink rubber worm with a single yellow Power Egg set up on a White River trout rig. Fly-anglers have had excellent catches with 1/64-ounce chrome dome pink jigs under a large strike indicator. Rising trophy browns have also been known to hit Hank's Bulbous Bivisible or Hank's Quick Sight Ant. Other recommended flies are the olive woolly bugger and the red San Juan worms.<br />
Sportsman's White River Resort said the water is clear and normal. Two generators are running at night, which helps fishing. Trout fishing has been excellent on almost any kind of bait.<br />
Angler's White River Resort said trout fishing has been good, and night trout fishing is even better. They are being caught on spinnerbaits, glow worms, Power Bait, and Rapalas.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 652.16 feet MSL.<br />
Bull Shoals Lake Boat Dock (870-445-4424) said the surface water temperature ranges from 84 to 86 degrees. Divers are seeing a thermocline in the 30-foot range. This is a good starting point to start looking for fish, keeping the boat in 50 to 60 feet of water. Bass are biting fairly well on nightcrawlers baited on a split-shot along bluff walls. ¾-ounce Bink's spoons in silver or white are working well along the same areas. A drop-shotted 4-inch worm and Texas-rigged strawberry worms are working well. Walleye are biting well on jigging spoons and live bait. Crappie are biting decently on minnows under a slip-cork rig.<br />
Lake Norfork: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 549.26 feet MSL.<br />
Cranfield Junction Bait and Tackle (870-492-5141) said the water is clear and a little low. Some bream are being caught on redworms and crickets. Crappie fishing is very slow, but a few have been caught on minnows. Bass fishing is pretty good early in the mornings on Roadrunners. A few walleye have been caught on nightcrawlers in about 35 feet of water around main lake points. Stripers are being caught on spoons and trolled crankbaits in the mornings around 40 to 60 feet deep.<br />
Norfork Tailwater: Gene's Trout Dock (870-499-5381) said the water is clear and low. The generators are being turned on in the early afternoon. Trout fishing has been very good on nightcrawlers, Power Eggs, and corn.
NORTHWEST ARKANSAS<br />
Beaver Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 1,116.09 feet MSL.<br />
Southtown Sporting Goods (479-443-7148) said the water is clear and low. Some crappie can be caught on minnows. Bass fishing is fair early and late in the day on top-water baits. Catfishing has been good on goldfish.<br />
Wiegmann's Guide Service (479-756-5279) said the water is clear in the mid-lake and dam areas. Bass fishing has been decent, but is better at night. The most effective baits have been crankbaits, black Jitterbugs, darkly colored worms and spinnerbaits. Some small bass are being caught during the day on buzzbaits. Some stripers can be caught on shad and shiners.<br />
Lake Fayetteville: Lake Fayetteville Boat Dock (479-444-3476) said the water is about normal but fishing has been very slow.<br />
Lake Sequoyah: Lake Sequoyah Boat Dock (479-444-3475) said the water is clear and at a normal level. Bream fishing is fair in 4-8 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie can be caught in 4-10 feet of water on minnows and jigs around rocky points and logs. Some bass have been caught around rocky points on plastic worms, spinnerbaits and crankbaits. There are few reports of catfish, but some have been caught on goldfish, chicken liver and worms.<br />
Sugarloaf Lake: Midland Minimart (479-639-9467) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream are biting well on crickets. All other species are slow.
NORTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Crown Lake: Boxhound Marina (870-670-4496) said the lake is clear and a little low. Crappie are being caught on minnows in deep water. Bass fishing is fair on plastic worms. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver and chunk bait.<br />
Lake Frierson: Lake Frierson State Park said the water is clear and a little low. Catfishing is your best bet right now on trotlines and stinkbait.<br />
Eleven-Point River : Woody's Canoe Rental and Campground (870-892-9732) said the river is clear and at a little low. Bass are being caught on spinnerbaits. Catfishing is excellent on chicken liver.<br />
Spring River : Many Islands Camp (870-856-3451) said the water is clear and a little low. Bass and walleye fishing have been good.
SOUTHEAST ARKANSAS<br />
Lake Chicot : Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing has been pretty good on worms and wax worms. Bass have been caught on top-water baits. Catfishing has been good on about any kind of bait.<br />
Grand Lake: Koenig Bass Tracker Marine (870-265-5374) said the water is clear and at normal level. Crappie are the best thing going right now on minnows and jigs.
SOUTHWEST ARKANSAS
Millwood Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 259.37 feet MSL.<br />
Millwood Lake Guide Service said the water surface temperature is in the mid-80s during the day. Current has reduced to 774 cubic feet per second and the clarity is 8 to 10 inches of visibility. Bass and crappie are in normal summer patterns with the best bite being early in the morning. Largemouth bass are biting early in the morning on 1/8 or ¼-ounce jigheads rigged with curly tailed shad baits. Swim the baits through the grass and pads in around 4 to 8 feet of water and keep your rod tip high to prevent snagging with the open hook. Pop R's are taking a few bass early, but that's it for the top-water bite. Peanut butter and jelly and black/blue jigs are catching some good keepers, as are War Eagle spinnerbaits and Rat-L-Traps fished around flats adjacent to creek channels. Once the sun is up, switch to a Texas rig or Carolina rig with a 7- to 10-inch worm or lizard around deep water and holes in the vegetation. No report on white bass. Crappie are fair on live shiners and grubs fished on light jigheads in 14 to 20 feet of water. Channel catfish are biting well on goldfish and cut bait.<br />
Lake Columbia: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the water is at normal level and clarity. Bream fishing is good on redworms and crickets. Catfishing has been good on goldfish and nightcrawlers.<br />
Lake Erling: Steve's Marine (870-234-2222) said the lake is clear and at normal level. Bream fishing has been good on crickets. Catfish have been biting very well on goldfish.<br />
Lake Greeson: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 540.91 feet MSL.<br />
Lakeside Grocery, Motel and Bait (870-398-5304) said the water is clear and dropping. Bream fishing is fair on worms and crickets. Bass are being caught in about 10 feet of water on plastic worms around brush piles. Catfishing is excellent on stink bait, jugs and live bait.<br />
Darryl Morris of Family Fishing Trips Guide Service saidLake Greeson's water level is holding steady and its water temperature is falling slowly. The daytime surface temperature is in the low 80s. The crappie are starting to move back into brush piles along primary creek channels and can be caught 18 to 22 feet deep. All other species are slow, but should pick up with the cooler temperatures.<br />
DeGray Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 397.99 feet MSL.<br />
DeGray One Stop (501-865-3511) says lake conditions are clear and the water is dropping. Bream are biting well in 15-20 feet of water on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on live bait. Bass and catfish slow.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Dardanelle: Murphy's Sporting Goods (479-229-3200) said the water is murky and low. Bream fishing has been pretty good on crickets. Bass fishing is fair on jigs and worms. Catfishing is a little slow, but some have been caught on shad and stinkbait.<br />
Blue Mountain Lake: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 385.10 feet MSL.<br />
CNC's End of the Line (479-947-2398) said the lake is murky and at normal level. Bream fishing is good on crickets. Crappie are being caught on minnows. Bass fishing is fair on spinnerbaits. Catfishing has been really good on chicken liver.<br />
Ozark Pool: Lakeside Food Mart (479-667-5155) said the water is pretty clear and at normal level. Some bream have been caught on crickets. Crappie fishing is fair on minnows. Bass are biting on spinnerbaits and jigs.<br />
Lake Ouachita: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 570.00 feet MSL.<br />
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said bass are beginning to move into the matted grass and are biting well on ¾- to 1-ounce jigs in green/orange and black/blue color combinations. Stripers are biting well on spoons in 20 to 30 feet of water over main river channels. Catfishing is fair on jugs baited with goldfish. No report on bream or walleye.<br />
Lake Catherine: Diamondhead Marina (501-262-2272) said the water is normal for this time of year. Bass fishing is picking up a lot. Most bass are being caught in the early morning or evening hours on spinnerbaits. Walleye fishing has been very good in 12-14 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, reports that limits of rainbow trout over 15 inches can still be caught below the dam. With the water temperature holding at 59 degrees, the trout are healthy and consistently feeding on shad. Bank fishermen are hooking fish on a waxworm and marshmallow combination as well as the ever popular whole kernel corn floated under a bobber. These two methods will produce strikes under almost any condition. Boaters on small jigs and nightcrawler rigs are doing well around the bridge pilings as trout seek deeper water. As reported last week, the striper and hybrid action is hit and miss as the fish migrate in and out of the tailrace area. No real feeding pattern is visible; however, when present both striper and hybrids feed heavily on top as they chase the huge schools of threadfin shad. Large top-water baits, such as C-10 Redfins and Super Spooks are perfect for that approach.<br />
Lake Hamilton: Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said fishing is great from sunrise until about 10 a.m. still. Concentrate on the edge of flats that drop off into the creek channels with a drop-shot baited with a 6-inch finesse worm. A ½-ounce spoon caught a few fish. Some walleye are starting to concentrate on windblown points and are hitting shad-colored jerkbaits.<br />
Lake Hinkle: Bill's Bait Shop (479-637-4719) said the water is at normal level and clarity. Bream are good on crickets. Bass fishing is fairly good on top-water baits and spinnerbaits. Crappie are biting in 10-15 feet of water on minnows.<br />
Lake Atkins: Lucky Landing (479-641-7615) said the water is a little low and clear. Bream can be caught in deep water on crickets. Bass fishing is fair. Catfishing is good.<br />
Lake Nimrod: As of Tuesday, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers reports the lake's elevation at 342.97 feet MSL.
SOUTH-CENTRAL ARKANSAS<br />
Moro Bay : The water is a foot above normal and the temperature still lingers in the upper 90s. There have been a few scattered showers lately. Several boats were fishing around the middle of the bay this morning and it can only mean one thing - crappie must be biting. To the fisherman without a depth finder, it appears that they are in open water but a look below reveals treetops in 10 to 14 feet of water. Jigs are working the best. Bream are biting well on crickets.
EAST ARKANSAS
Arkansas River (Pine Bluff): The Tackle Box (870-534-1498) said the water is clear and little high. Bream are biting well on redworms and crickets. A few crappie have been caught on minnows. Catfishing has been excellent on worms and cut bait.<br />
River City Sporting Goods (870-534-8303) said the water is clear and steady. Some bream have been caught on crickets and red wigglers in 2-4 feet of water. Black bass are biting well on crankbaits. A few catfish have been caught in 30 feet of water on cut shad and nightcrawlers.<br />
White River: Triangle Sports (870-793-7122) said the water is clear and still low. Crappie fishing has been good on jigs and minnows. Bass are biting fairly well on spinnerbaits. Walleye fishing is fair on minnows.<br />
Maddox Bay: Maddox Bay Landing (870-462-8317) said the water is clear and low. Bream are biting in 2-4 feet of water on worms and crickets. Crappie fishing is fair in 4-8 feet of water. Bass are biting well on plastic worms and buzzbaits.<br />
Bear Creek Lake: Arkansas Outdoors (870-295-4240) said the water is pretty murky. All fishing has been slow, but there have been a few reports of catfish biting on nightcrawlers.<br />
Horseshoe Lake: Local fisherman Clyde Gregory said fishing has been a little slow, but some anglers are having luck. Clyde reported that the water is clear and a little low. Bream are being caught in shallow water on crickets, while crappie are being caught in deeper water on minnows. Some bass are being caught in shallow water around grassy areas on white spinnerbaits. Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers and cut bait.<br />
Island 40 Chute: Daily's Boat Dock said all fishing has been slow.